Candida Royalle (born October 15, 1950, New York, NY) was an American feminist, filmmaker, and entrepreneur. She was best known for her groundbreaking work in the adult film industry.
Royalle's career in the adult film industry began in the early 1980s when she was cast in the role of a porn star. She quickly rose to prominence as she was one of the few women working in the industry at the time and one of the first to direct her own films. She was also a vocal advocate for the rights of women in the industry, pushing for better conditions and improved representation of women.
In 1984, Royalle founded Femme Productions, which produced films that focused on female pleasure and explored the complexities of relationships. She also wrote and directed many of the films, pioneering a style of adult filmmaking that was more sensitive to the needs of female viewers. A number of her films featured strong female characters and explored topics such as sexual identity and the power dynamics in relationships.
Royalle was also a prominent figure in the women’s movement. In the late 1980s, she co-founded the first feminist-owned adult film distribution company, Femme Distribution. She served as president of the company until her retirement in 1994.
Royalle was a vocal proponent of sex-positive feminism and a strong advocate for women's rights in the adult film industry. She was a prolific writer and wrote a number of books on the subject, including “How to Tell a Naked Man What to Do” and “Urban Amazons: New Sexual Cultures in the City.”
Royalle was the recipient of numerous awards and accolades, including the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Feminist Porn Awards in 2011. She was also inducted into the AVN Hall of Fame in 2014.
Sadly, Royalle passed away in 2015 after a battle with ovarian cancer. She was a trailblazer in the adult film industry and a champion of women’s rights. Her legacy will continue to inspire future generations of filmmakers and feminists.
